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Opinion

Opinion

Based on the author’s interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events.

Toronto on the cusp of a leadership makeover

By Jamison Steeve

Fri., Feb. 20, 2015

For 10 months, the citizens of Toronto focused their attention on the outcome of an election campaign that led to a change in the mayor’s office. However, we should all remember that civic leadership, thankfully, is not limited to city hall. It turns out that the city is, possibly, on the cusp of a complete makeover of its leadership, which could have an impact of the growth and development of Toronto for decades to come.

Searches are either underway or about to begin for many key government, social services and cultural positions in Toronto, including: city manager, chief of police, the CEO of Toronto Community Housing, and the heads of Waterfront Toronto, Massey Hall, the Sony Centre, the Royal Ontario Museum and Luminato.

Throw in the executive searches at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and the Blue Jays, and the heart, mind and soul of the city will soon be under new management. The people who fill these roles will have as much, if not more, impact on the outcome of Toronto’s next 10 years as any mayor or councillor.

So who will assume these mantles of leadership? While many are already throwing around names we have all heard before, here’s hoping that those making the hiring decisions seize the opportunity before them to allow for new, unusual and diverse voices and personalities to step into these roles. For a city that prides itself on being global, young and diverse, we struggle to walk that talk when filling the key jobs in the city.

The leadership vacuum created by these job openings provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to promote and inspire the next group of builders and visionaries. It is time for the city to turn to the next generation of leadership. Here’s hoping that those roles are filled by those with talent, rather than simply steeped in tradition. That they possess youthful enthusiasm and risk tolerance, rather than just experience. We need people looking to build a reputation, rather than those looking to protect one. I, for one, hope the choices make some people uncomfortable, slightly uncertain of how it will all turn out.

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There is a second half of the equation, and that is inspiring the next set of leaders to step up and actually lead. For those in a younger generation who lament that the city’s institutions don’t represent them or they don’t believe in the political system, here is an opportunity to rise up and do something about it. Whether your interest is public service, community safety, cultural or housing, recreating an institution or rebuilding one, there is a job for you. These are action-oriented, results-based jobs that will play a central role in determining the type of city in which we live.

I believe that people from across sectors, public and private, will apply for these jobs. Regardless of your opinion of the last four years of civic leadership, there is consensus that these roles matter to the citizenry. If the next generation does not emerge, then perhaps the apathy that so many ascribe to us is accurate. I think we will lay waste to that myth and, a year from now, several new voices will move to centre stage, blazing a trail for others.

All of this came to mind over the past couple of weeks as our community lost two great leaders — Joe Rotman and John Evans. While they took different paths, both sought to accomplish a similar goal: to make this city and this country great. They did so with uncommon intelligence, undeniable enthusiasm, unstoppable effort and unending humanity. More than merely putting their names on buildings, they put their stamp on the very fabric of our lives — impacting the way we learn, think, heal and solve problems.

When all is said and done, I hope the same can be said of the next generation of city leaders.

Jamison Steeve is executive director of the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

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